Pregnant women often wonder about the safety of dietary supplements such as L-carnitine. L-carnitine, a nutrient derived from an essential amino acid, plays a role in the body's conversion of fatty acids into energy. Although your body produces enough L-carnitine to function, some people might require supplements if a deficiency occurs. Consult your midwife or obstetrician before taking L-carnitine or other dietary supplements while pregnant.
Function
L-carnitine assists in energy production by transporting fatty acids to the mitochondria to be oxidized. The oxidation process "burns" long-chain fatty acids and converts them into energy. Animal products, wheat, avocados and peanut butter are excellent sources of L-carnitine. Most healthy people who eat a balanced diet, including vegetarians, naturally produce enough L-carnitine to avoid a deficiency. Symptoms of an L-carnitine deficiency include muscle weakness, fatigue, hypoglycemia and abdominal pain. Talk to your doctor if you suspect an L-carnitine deficiency during pregnancy.
Potential Benefits
Because the nutrient helps decrease oxidative stress, L-carnitine supplements might help a variety of health conditions, including heart disease. Although L-carnitine might reduce heart failure symptoms and improve muscle weakness, the supplement generally is used in addition to proper medical treatment for heart disease. L-carnitine also has been used to improve exercise performance and weight loss. More scientific research is necessary to determine the validity of these claims. As of publication, there are no known benefits directly related to pregnancy.
Possible Side Effects
Mild side effects might occur as a result of ingesting L-carnitine supplements. Excessive doses of the supplement might cause diarrhea, which can lead to dehydration or nutrient deficiency during pregnancy. Other side effects include abdominal pain, nausea, body odor and increased appetite. L-carnitine might interact with other medications and should not be used without consulting your physician. As of publication, there are no known side effects related to fetal development.
Warning
According to the Linus Pauling Institute, pregnant or nursing mothers should avoid taking L-carnitine due to a lack of research on the safety of the supplement. Do not take L-carnitine if you have high blood pressure, diabetes, kidney disease, cirrhosis of the liver or peripheral vascular disease. Always consult your health care provider before taking dietary supplements during pregnancy.
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